Strawberry plant named &#39;BARAK&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘BARAK’. This new strawberry plant named ‘BARAK’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the Sharon coastal plain, at 32° latitude, located in Israel, and is primarily characterized by high quality fruit with an attractive brilliant appearance, regular consistent conical shape, high total soluble solids, long shelf-life and fruit appearing out of the canopy facilitating harvest.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(1) of the Israeli Plant Breeders' Rights Application No. 4223/09 filed Oct. 29, 2009.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Fragaria×ananassa Duch. (Fragaria L.)

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘BARAK’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘BARAK’. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

The new strawberry ‘BARAK’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Nir DAI, Zecharia TANAMI, Sara SLOTZKY and Ahuva DAOS in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The objective of the breeding program is to develop high quality fruit with high eating qualities and long shelf life.

This new strawberry ‘BARAK’ is a result of a controlled cross made by the inventors in 2004, in a greenhouse in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The female or seed parent is the strawberry variety designated ‘TAMIR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,647 granted Jan. 19, 2010, Israel PBR (plant breeders' rights) application No. 4029/07 filed Oct. 4, 2007, European Community PBR application No. 2008/2105 filed 24 Sep. 2008, south Africa PBR application No. PT 5701 filed Jun. 5, 2009). The male or pollen parent is strawberry breeding selection designated ‘ARO 730’, selected in ARO breeding program, Israel. The new strawberry ‘BARAK’ was observed and selected by the inventors as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in April of 2006, in an experimental greenhouse in Bet-Dagan, Israel. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons (runners) in a nursery located in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The new variety ‘BARAK’ was extensively tested over the following years in a few small trial fields in Moshav Tsofit, Kadima and Qalansawa, Israel. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual propagation. The new cultivar is able to be propagated true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘BARAK’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the Sharon coastal plain, at 32° latitude, located in Israel and to similar climatic regions. This region provides suitable growing conditions in autumn with high temperatures that promote primary plant growth and early fruit production, mild winter with moderate temperatures and many sunny days with low humidity, maintaining plant vigor and fruit quality during fruit production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘BARAK’, which in combination distinguishes this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   1. Very uniform consistent conical fruit shape and size, without     fruit malformation; -   2. Excellent fruit firmness with excellent shelf-life; -   3. Glossy deep red external color and deep red internal color; -   4. Juicy fruit with desirable flavor; -   5. Early fruit production from the end of November in Israel; -   6. No chilling requirement for flower induction; -   7. Moderate plant size with open, globose appearance; -   8. Long fruiting trusses makes picking easier; -   9. Large number of runners (stolons) production in the propagation     nursery; -   10. Good field tolerance to Powdery Mildew.

Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’ differs from the female parent ‘TAMIR’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,647 granted Jan. 19, 2010, Israel PBR (plant breeders' rights) application No. 4029/07 filed Oct. 4, 2007, European Community PBR application No. 2008/2105 filed 24 Sep. 2008, south Africa PBR application No. PT 5701 filed Jun. 5, 2009). and from the mail parent ARO breeding selection ‘ARO 730’ in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ‘TAMIR’ Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Registered ‘ARO 730’ Average fruit weight (gm) 21 gram 22 gram 22 gram Unevenness of fruit surface Absent Absent or very weak Weak Insertion of achenes moderately sunken Level with surface Level with surface Attitude of calyx slightly reflexed Clasping or detached Clasping or detached Firmness of the fruit Firm Firm Vary firm Plant size Medium Medium Large Average number of stolons Very many Few Many Foliage color (upper surface) Medium Medium to dark Medium to dark Fruit color Red to dark red Orange-red Dark red Vigor medium to strong Medium Strong Inflorescence position Above Level with Level with relative to foliage

Of the numerous commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, the most similar to the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’ is the commercial cultivar, strawberry variety ‘YAEL’ (registered for PBR in Israel, no. 1542 in Sep. 1996). Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’ differ from plants of strawberry variety ‘YAEL’ in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘YAEL’ Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Registered Average fruit weight (gm) 21 gram 23 gram Insertion of achenes moderately sunken Below surface Attitude of calyx slightly reflexed Clasping or detached Firmness of the fruit Firm Firm Plant size Medium Large Average number of stolons Very many Many Fruit color Red to dark red Red to dark red Sweetness Strong Medium Foliage color Dark green Green Inflorescence position Above Level with relative to foliage

For its identification, a series of molecular markers have been developed for this new variety. The genetic polymorphic pattern of two Cleavage Amplified Polymorphic Sequence (CAPS) markers (A. MSR-AluI and B. APX- MluI (Kunihisa et al., 2003) that differ between the new strawberry cultivar ‘BARAK’ and the main commercial Israeli strawberry cultivars, as well as, other widely known strawberry cultivars is shown in FIG. 7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describes the color of ‘BARAK’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’ were taken in Moshav Tsofit and Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel, and are 3 months old.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘BARAK’ taken in Moshav Tsofit in January of 2009.

FIG. 2A shows a close-up view of the typical leaf of ‘BARAK’ taken in Volcani center, Bet Dagan in June of 2010.

FIG. 2B shows unique heat sensitivity symptoms of ‘BARAK’ leaves occur at high temperatures during the Israeli summer (July-September) taken in Moshav Tsofit in July of 2010.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘BARAK’ taken in Moshav Tsofit in March of 2009.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up external and internal view of mature fruit of ‘BARAK’ taken in Moshav Tsofit in March of 2009.

FIG. 5 shows typical fruit shape and characteristics of ‘BARAK’ taken in Moshav Tsofit in March of 2009.

FIG. 6. Shows the average maximum and minimum temperatures (° C.) and rainfall at location where plant observations were made.

FIG. 7. Shows the genetic polymorphic pattern of cv. ‘BARAK’ (right line) in compare to other 11 strawberry accessions at two CAPS markers: A. MSR-AluI and B. APX- MluI, (following Kunisha, et al. 2003).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘BARAK’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’, unless otherwise noted, taken during the winter of the growing season 2008-2009 in Moshav Tsofit Israel. The observations, measurements and values were taken from plants of ‘BARAK’ dug from a low-elevation nurseries located in Moshav Tsofit, Israel, during September, 2008 and planted directly, without any chilling, in the same day in the field in Moshav Tsofit, Israel. Plants of the new strawberry variety ‘BARAK’ were grown under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

-   Growing conditions at the nursery:

Mother plants provided from an authorized nursery are planted in the beginning of May, in the field nursery at 2.5 m×2.5 m distance. Combination of overhead and drip irrigation with addition of fertilizers is used. The average day/night temperatures during the establishment of the daughter plants, between June to August, are 29° C./22° C. respectively. Runners appear from June, which produce young daughter plants up till mid September, these are then collected and planted directly in the field. Growing conditions at the fruit production field as is typically used in agricultural practice

The plants are washed from soil and dipped in Octav (Prochloraz manganese) 2 g/Liter solution to avoid anthracnose. These bare rooted plants are then planted in raised beds with overhead irrigation in 4 rows at 30 cm apart. Distance between plants within rows is 32 cm. During the first month, no fertilizers are added, due to the addition of 60-100 m³/ hectar compost during field preparation. About 4 weeks after planting the beds are covered with silvery-black, 30 micron polyethylene. The young plants are pulled out through the pre-prepared holes. From this point on, the plants are irrigated with a drip system with a supply of additional fertilizers, as is typically used in agricultural practice. By the end of October the beds are covered with transparent, 80 micron thick polyethylene tunnels. The average day (max) and night (minimum) temperatures during the cultivation season are shown in FIG. 6.

During winter in Israel, most days have full sunlight and only an average of 82 rainy days from August to June, producing about 520 mm precipitation. The fields are not treated with growth regulators and regularly are irrigated and fertilized according to need during fruit production.

Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from 2 years of data collected from the 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.) (year of edition 1986), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions between 10:00 a.m. to noon in Bet-Dagan, Israel. The approximate age of the observed plants is 4 to 6 months.

The following Tables 3 to 9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest/disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘BARAK’.

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Difference in shapes between Slight primary and secondary flowers Length 55-67 mm Maximum diameter 34-41 mm Ratio of length/maximum width Much longer than broad Weight 19-24 g, 21 g average Size Medium to large Predominant shape Conical Primary secondary and tertiary No difference in shape for all fruit three positions Band without achenes Medium broad (not medium to broad) Unevenness of surface Even Color Dark red RHS 45 A Evenness of color Even Glossiness Strong Insertion of achenes Moderately sunken Insertion of calyx At level Color of achenes Light yellow green RHS 145 B Density of achenes Medium to dense Weight of achenes Not recoded Number of achenes Number 280-420 Pose of the calyx segments Slightly reflexed Size of calyx in relation to fruit Larger diameter Length of calyx segment 24-30 mm Width of calyx segment 14-18 mm Color of upper side of calyx Light green 137 C segment Color of lower side of calyx Dark green RHS 137 A segment Adherence of calyx Very strong Firmness Firm Color of flesh Medium red RHS 45 C Evenness of color of flesh Even Sweetness Strong Acidity Weak Marketable yield (gm/pit) Monthly yield Year analyzed: 2008-2009 2009-2010 November  8 gram/plant  29 gram/plant December 143 gram/plant  48 gram/plant January 130 gram/plant 145 gram/plant February 246 gram/plant 309 gram/plant March 217gram/plant 245 gram/plant Total: 744 gram/plant 776 gram/plant

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Habit Globose Height About 35 cm Diameter About 40-45 cm Density Medium Vigor Medium to strong Time of flowering Early Time of ripening Early Type of bearing Partly remontant

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Number Numerous Anthocyanin coloration Weak Thickness 2-4 mm Pubescence Medium to strong Green color Light green RHS 144 C

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Leaf Green color of upper side Dark RHS 137 A Green color of lower side Grey green RHS 138 B Length 20-24 cm Width 14-16 cm Cross section Concave Blistering Medium Number of leaflets Sometimes more than three Terminal leaflet Length  7-9 cm Width  7-9 cm Ratio length/width As long as broad Shape of base Rounded Shape of teeth Rounded Side leaflet Length  7-8.5 cm Width  7-10 cm Ratio length/width Broader than long Shape of base Right angle Petiole Pose of hairs Outwards Length  9-17 cm Thickness About 3 mm Green color Yellow green RHS 144 C Anthocyanin coloration Absent or very weak Stipule Length 18-25 mm Width  5-8 mm Anthocyanin coloration Absent or very weak Green color Light yellow green RHS 144 D inner and outer side

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Attitude Prostrate Thickness 2-3 mm Green color Yellow green RHS 144 C Pubescence Medium dense

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Inflorescence Position relative to foliage Above Attitude Prostrate Flower Diameter 32-36 mm Size of calyx relative to corolla Same size Size of inner calyx relative to Smaller outer calyx Spacing of petals Touching Length of sepal 13-18 mm Width of sepal  9-13 mm Green color of upper side of sepal Light green 137 C Green color of lower side of outer Medium green RHS 138 B whorl of sepal flower base Pubescence Strongly pubescent flower base Color Yellow green RHS 1 A Petal Length 11-15 mm Width 12-15 mm Shape Broader than long Color of upper side White RHS 155 A Color of lower side White RHS 155 A

TABLE 9 REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Stamen Number per flower Numerous Length About 2-4 mm Filament Length About 2-4 mm Color Light yellow green RHS 145 C Anther Length About 0.1 mm Pollen Amount Moderate Color Dark yellow RHS 14 A Pistils Number per flower Numerous Shape Too small to observe Length Too small to observe Stigma Length Too small to observe Color Too small to observe Style Color Too small to observe

TABLE 10 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS Characteristic ‘BARAK’ Two spotted spider mite No testing/observations Lygus bug No testing/observations Flower thrips No testing/observations Powdery mildew moderately tolerant Botrytis fruit rot moderately tolerant Angular leaf spot No testing/observations 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘BARAK’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above, having high quality fruit with an attractive glossy appearance, regular consistent conical shape, high total soluble solids, long shelf life and fruit appearing out of the canopy facilitating harvesting. 